Center pin for body and truck bolsters



Aug. 22, 1950 s. B. HASELTINE 2,519,464

CENTER PIN FOR BODY AND TRUCK BOLSTERS Filed Feb. 3, 1947 29 fl- 5 V//// Z Z 15-? InVe raj 0? Sia c1; lijiaseli Patented Aug. 22, 1950 CENTER PIN FOR BODY AND TRUCK BOLSTERS Stacy B. Haseltine, La Grange, Ill., assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application February 3, 1947, Serial No. 726,018

This invention relates to improvements-in center pins for body and truck bolsters for railway cars. l v I One objectrof the invention is toprovide an improved car construction for railway cars havg ing the usual bodyand truck bolsters connected by a center pin formed with heads at opposite ends which have shouldered engagement withthe bolsters, wherein the center pin is lengthwise divided into two parts which are normally in'con tact with each other at their inner sides on faces inclined to the central longitudinal axis of the H pin, whereby, the pinis respectivelyv expandible and contractiblethrough relative lengthwise dis placement in reverse directionslof the .partstlierr' of to effect applicationfan'd removal, oLtheIpinQ A more specificjobjectio'f the inventio'n "is to provide a center pinjfor body and truck bolster s of railway cars, comprising two lengthwise extending sections arranged side by side and hav- '20 ing heads at opposite end's'a'daptedfto overhang thebolsters at the center pin receiving openings thereof, wherein the sections hau'e contactjl ivith" each other on their inner sides on faces inclined to the longitudinal axis of the pin and are,

lengthwise displaceable with respect to each other on said inclined faces to effect contraction] of the pin as awhole, and one of said sections is cut out at one end thereof to permit 'lateral' dis"- placement of th'esame withinthe; pin receivingj fifl' openings to provide clearance 'within"said open lugs for insertion and removal of the other section of the pin. I

Other objectsof the invention willlmore clearly appear from the description'and claims hereinzontal sectional view, corresponding substantials ly to the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure l, illustrative of the manner of application and removal of the center'pin.=-

, "6 Claims. (CL 105-199) Figure 4 is a View; similar to Figure 1, illustrature 5 is a horizontal sectional view, corresponding substantially to-the line 55 of Figure 4. I In said drawing, ll indicates the body bolster of a car, and I2, the truck bolsten; fI he body; bolster isof the cast type and has diaphragm sections l3-l3, top and bottom walls l4|4, I and a center section. l5 to accommodate thecen ter pin. The section [5 is of cylindrical tubular form,, as shown and,has. an annular,- inwardly, projecting flange 16 between thetop and bottoirrf endsgthereby providing an, annular fshoulderjl 1;, Thefopening IB'defined ,by this flangeisfcirciilar' in'. form and offslightly' greater diametergth an the shank of the'center'pin'. L Theetruck .b'olsterflf. l2, which is also preferably a casting, hastop' and bottom walls 20,and 2l,connectingsidewebs 22+22,, and spaced yertical walls 23-23. spaced walls 23+23 define a'pocket 24 'therebel tween, which serves to accommodate-the bottom ad of the jcehterjpin connecting the bolsters. The top wall of the'truck bolster is provided with an upstanding hollow boss in, the form pf anjf" annular flange 25, which projects into, and isaccommodated within, the lower end of the tubular center section lfi of the body bolster I T openings 26, defined by the flange 25 is in agna alignment with; and corresponds in diametergto," e. o enin .8. rov d. byv the lan l 9 t tubular section a: "the1bq1str ll. fl'hejusua'ljj in pl e .o m :1 s it rps 'dn betw e b er eslt bo st r a I fl; Referring first w ne embodiment of the lip-i1 vention ill'ustrate d in Figures 1, 2, and fthe body" buster" is' "interlocked" with" the tru'ck it if 'ster by my improvedlocliingcenter'pinfwfii hf comprises broadly two elongated sections or" members A and B. r

Each of themembers A an'dB includes ashank portion'28 extending through the pin receiving- 4oopenings of the bolsters, and top and bottom,

substantially semi-circular flanges 29=and 30-311"; oppositeends of the shank portion 28; The flanges 29-29 at the upper-ends of the members A and B are eccentric to'the central longitudinal axis of the pin and together'formihe to'p'head member of-thje pin which overhangs the shoulder I ll oi the body bolster, andthe flanges30-3l) at the lowerends of the members A and Bare eccentric with the longitudinal central-"axisof ing another embodiment of the invention. Figthe pin and together form'the bottom head member of the pin which underlies the shoulder I26 at the pin receiving opening 26 of the truck bolster.

On the inner side, each member A and B presents a longitudinally extending, flat face 3I. The flat faces 3I3I of the two members A and B are in contact with each other throughout the lengths of said members and are inclined to the longitudinal central axis of the pin, as clearly shown in Figure l. The outer side of the shank 28 of the member A is rounded and presents a substantially cylindrical surface 32, which is inclined with respect to the longtiudinal axis of the pin, the same being inclined inwardly in upward direction. The cylindrical surface 32 terminates short of the underneath side of the top flange 29 of the member A, the shank 28 being provided with a lateral outward enlargement 33 immediately below the flange 29, which merges with the surface 32. The enlargement 33 presents a transversely curved surface, which i upwardly inclined outwardly away from the shank 28. The vertical height of the enlargement 33 is slightly less than the normal clearance between the flange 30 at the lower end of the section A and the shoulder I26 of the truck bolster. The shank 28 of the member A is thus, in effect, cut away, or recessed, at its outer side beneath the top flange 29 thereof so that, when the member A is pushed upwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, the enlargement 33 clears the shoulder I! of the body bolster to permit the member A to be tilted or displaced laterally outwardly at its upper end, as shown in Figure 3. The outer side of the shank 28 of the member B is also transversely rounded and presents a substantially cylindrical surface 34 which extends vertically. Each member A and B preferably has a depending lug 35 at its lower end, the lugs 3535 of the two members A and B being at the inner sides of said members in alignment with each other and having transversely aligned bolt receiving openings through which a bolt 36 is engaged for locking the two members together and holding the same against lengthwise displacement with respect to each other.

In the applied condition of the center pin, as shown in Figure 1, the top flanges 2929 of the members A and B are in shouldered engagement with the bolster II, resting on the shoulder I'I. Vertical separation of the bolsters is positively prevented by the heads at opposite ends of the pin, the two members of the pin being locked together against relative vertical displacement and collapse by the bolt 36. Although, as shown in the drawing, the bolt 36 is employed to lock the two members together against relative vertical displacement, the bolt may be dispensed with, if desired, as the weight of the two members A and B will normally maintain the top flanges of both members in shouldered engagement with the body bolster, with the pin in its expanded condition.

The eccentric flanges 2929 at the top ends of the members A and B are of such a size and outside contour that they will pass freely through the pin receiving openings of both the bodyand truck bolsters when the pin is contracted, that is, the flange or head at the top end of the member B is of such a size and outside contour that it will pass freely upwardly and downwardly through the center pin receiving openings of the bolsters when the member A is disposed in the raised and inclined position shown in Figure 3, and the top head or flange of the member A will.

pass freely through said openings when the member B is absent.

In applying the improved center pin shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 to the bolsters, the member A is first inserted in the center pin openings by passing the same upwardly through said openings until the top flange or head 29 thereof reaches a position above the shoulder I! of the body bolster with the enlarged portion 33 at the upper end of the shank 28 also above and clear of said shoulder. When thus disposed, the member A is tilted to the position shown in Figure 3 to engage the flange 29 over the shoulder I1. While the member A is held in this position, the member B is inserted upwardly in the openings of the bolsters, inclined, as shown in Figure 3, alongside the member A. The member B is pushed upwardly to bring the top head or flange 29 thereof above the shoulder ll of the bolster and then displaced laterally outwardly to engage said head over the shoulder. At the same time, the member A is allowed to drop to the position shown in Figure 1, the inclined enlargement 33 camming the same to its normal upright position. The two members A and B are then locked together by the bolt 36.

In removing the center pin from the bolster openings, the bolt 36 is detached, thereby freeing the members A and B for relative vertical displacement. After the bolt has been detached, the member A is lifted and tilted to the position shown in Figure 3. The upper end of the member B is then tilted inwardly away from the shoulder I! of the body bolster and removed by withdrawing the same downwardly. After the member B has been completely withdrawn from the pin receiving openings of the bolsters, the member A may be readily removed by straightening the same and dropping it through said openings.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, my improved center pin comprises two elongated members C' and D. Each of these members includes a shank portion I28 extending through the pin receiving openings of the bolsters, and top and bottom flanges I29 and I30 at opposite ends of the shank, similar to the flanges 29 and 30 of the members A and B hereinbefore described.

At the inner side, each member C and D presents relatively straight, vertically disposed, transverse, flat faces I3I and I3I at the top and bottom ends thereof, and an inclined, substantially flat face I 32 connecting the faces I3I I3I. The three faces I3I, I3I, and I32 of each of said members are in flat surface contact with the three corresponding faces I 3I, I3I, and I32 of the other member. The outer sides of the shanks of the two members C and D are rounded and. present true cylindrical surfaces, concentric with the longitudinal central axis of the pin, but said outer rounded surface of the shank I28 of the member C is cut away, or recessed, inwardly of the upper end of the shank, as indicated at I33, to provide clearance for tilting movement of the member C. This cut away, or recessed portion, terminates short of the top flange I29 of the member C, thus leaving a portion I34 of said shank I28, immediately below the flange I29, of true cylindrical outside contour. This portion I3 I engages the inner wall of the center pin receiving opening in the normal applied position of the center pin, as shown in Figure 4. The weight of the member C nora mally maintains the same in the seated condition shown in Figure 4.

The operations of applying and removing the pin shown in Figures 4 and 5 are similar to the operations described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1. 2, and 3, the member C being lifted and its upper end tilted laterally outwardly to provide clearance for withdrawal or insertion of the member D.

Iclaim:

1. A center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car having aligned center pin openings, and top and bottom retaining shoulders adjacent the openings thereof, said pin comprising two parts extending through said openings, said parts comprising a member having heads at its top and bottom ends, respectively overhanging the shoulders of the body and truck bolsters, and a second member having heads at its top and bottom ends, respectively overhanging and underlying the shoulders of the body and truck bolsters. said members being arranged side by side in said openings and in contact with each other at their inner sides on inclined faces and vertical abutment surfaces at opposite ends of said inclined faces, said first named member having transversely rounded outer abutment faces at the top and bottom ends thereof inwardly of the heads of said member, said first named member being cut away at its outer side between the heads thereof inwardly of said transversely rounded abutment faces to permit lateral outward tilting of said first named member when displaced upwardly to bring said rounded abutment face, which is at the top end thereof, clear of the shoulder of the body bolster, thereby providing clearance in said center pin openings for passage of the top head of said second named member.

2. A center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car having vertically aligned center pin openings, said pin comprising two parts, each part including top and bottom heads and a shank connecting said heads, said shanks of said two parts of the pin being arranged side by side when engaged within said openings and having contact with each other on their inner sides on surfaces inclined to the longitudinal central axis of the pin, whereby, upon longitudinal sliding movement of said parts lengthwise with respect to each other, the pin is expanded, the shank of one of said parts of the pin having the outer side thereof inclined inwardly in upward direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the pin, to permit tilting of said part to inclined position in said openings to provide clearance for passage of the other part of said pin through said openings in assembling the pin within said openings.

3. In a center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car provided with vertically aligned center pin openings, said pin being divided lengthwise into two parts with the parts arranged side by side when disposed in said aligned openings, said parts being in direct abutment on their inner sides on a diagonal plane, each part having a top and a bottom head, the vertical distance between said top and bottom heads of each part being greater than the overall distance between the upper end of the body bolster opening and the lower end of the truck bolster opening, one of said parts having an abutment shoulder on the outer side thereof beneath the top head of the same, adapted to 6 engage the side wall of said pin receiving open ing of the body bolster, the outer side wall of said last named part being inclined away from the central longitudinal axis of the pin in downward direction to permit, when said part is elevated to a position with the abutment shoulder raised above the upper end of the body bolster opening, lateral outward tilting of the upper end of said part, thereby providing clearance in the pin receiving openings to permit passage of the top head of the other part of said pin through said openings.

4. A center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car having vertically aligned center pin openings, said center pin being divided lengthwise on an inclined plane into two parts, each of said parts having a head at the top end and a head at the bottom end, said top and bottom heads of each part being spaced apart vertically a distance which is slightly greater than the distance from the upper end of the body bolster opening to the lower end of the truck bolster opening, one of said parts having its outer side between the heads thereof inclined inwardly toward the central vertical axis of the pin in upward direction, to permit, when lifted to a position with the top head thereof raised above the upper end of the body bolster opening, tilting of said part laterally away from the other part of the pin to provide clearance within said vertically aligned openings for the head at the top end of said other part to pass freely through said openings, and abutment means below the top head on the outer side of said tiltable part normally engaged with the side wall of the opening of the body bolster to hold said last named part against tilting.

5. A center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car having vertically aligned center pin openings, said pin comprising a pair of elongated members in side by side engagement adapted to extend through said vertically aligned openings, said members having their inner sides inclined to the vertical and in contact with each other, each of said members having a head at the top end and a head at the bottom end, said top heads having shouldered engagement with the body bolster at the opening thereof, one of said members having an abutment shoulder on the outer side thereof below the top head normally engaging the inner side wall of the body bolster opening, said outer side being cut away on a downward and outward inclination to the vertical between said abutment shoulder and the bottom head of said member to permit lateral outward tilting of said member, when the same is lifted lengthwise with respect to the other member of said pin to an extent to disengage said abutment shoulder from the body bolster opening, thereby providing clearance within said vertically aligned openings for the passage of the top head of said last named member.

6. A center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car having vertically aligned center pin receiving openings, said pin being divided lengthwise into two parts, each of said parts comprising a shank member and top and bottom heads on said member, said shank members being lengthwise arranged side by side and in contact with each other on their inner sides, said inner sides being inclined with respect to the central vertical axis of the pin, the outer longitudinal side of one of the members of one of said parts being vertically disposed, and the 7 outer longitudinal side of the shank member of the other of said parts being correspondingly inclined to the inner side thereof, said last named part having a beveled abutment face on the outer side beneath the top head, engageable with the inner wall of the opening of the body bolster to hold said part against tilting when said parts are assembled with the bolsters, said part which has the beveled abutment face being laterally outwardly tiltable in said aligned openings when lifted to an extent to clear said abutment face from the body bolster opening, thereby providing clearance within said aligned openings for passage of the top head of the other part of the pin.

STACY B. HASELTINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

